Guru Nanak Dev University celebrates 49th Foundation Day with great enthusiasm

                The real goal of education is intellectual empowerment: Prof. Ved Parkash

Amritsar, ( Aulakh Hardev

) – Guru Nanak Dev University celebrated 49^th Foundation Day with great enthusiasm here today at various venues in the University campus. Academicians, scholars, students and eminent personalities participated in these celebrations and had Guru Ka Langar  arranged in the University lawns. The winner of the painting competition was awarded with certificates and cash prizes  

Prof. Ved Parkash, Former Chairman, University Grants Commission, New Delhi, and Prof. Charan Singh, Non-Executive Chairman, Punjab & Sind Bank participated and delivered their academic lectures. These lectures were held in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan Auditorium of the University. A large number of dignitaries, teachers, employees, and students were present in the auditorium. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu welcomed the guest speakers and other guests. He also highlighted the achievements of the University. Prof. Sarabjot Singh Behal, Registrar coordinated the foundation day activities and Prof. Kamaljit Singh, Dean, Academic Affairs of the University proposed a vote of thanks.

Prof. Ved Parkash in his lecture said that through education we can attain and achieve everything. he said that in the present education system we need reforms to meet the global challenges. He said that higher education demands focus on the Expansion, Equity, Excellence and Employability.  He said that we need to enhance the new infrastructure, strengthen state institutions and enhance teaching capacities  He said that expansion and equity are not enough if excellence does not become our watchword. Mandatory accreditation of institutions, their periodic assessments, enriching faculty resources and focus on research and innovation are the key interventions we need to nurture towards quality and excellence, he added.

He said that although the university as a system is for the creation of new knowledge, in the changing scenario, employability has also become an important concern. He said that there is a need for enhancing skill development initiatives He said that Industry-academia interaction has been proverbially weak and needs to be strengthened.

He said that a master plan in higher education is needed keeping in view the present position, previous history, and future plans. He said that over-bureaucratization and politicisation of institutes should be avoided. He said the need-based vocational courses should be introduced to meet the employment challenges.

           He said that research and innovations are at the heart of developmental perspectives in higher education.  He said that the quality of research lays the foundation for the recognition of our institutions in their global ranking. He said that we need Research Universities in Punjab which will be engaged in research required to solve the problems of common man like water, food safety, farming relating problems. The State needed to implement the results of this research and rest other Universities be given the responsibilities of learning and teaching. 

           Prof. Charan Singh said that our country is unique as Saints of all faith are worshiped equally here. The teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji are still relevant and will be relevant till the existence of the world. Guru Nanak Dev ji always advocated truthful living and conduct.

He said that the economy of Punjab is slipping down day by day because of polluted water and soil. He said earlier we have 80 major crops in Punjab but now due to over-exploitation of natural resources, we have only Rice and Wheat as major crops. He said that we need resources management planning.

He said that unemployment, drugs, and militancy were another problems which could only be tackled by providing employment through vocational courses by our Universities. He said that religious tourism needs to be promoted to inculcate moral values among our youth. He proposed that a Trade Hub can be established to promote Trade with Central Asian countries as well as with Iran.

Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu said that An Institute of Interfaith studies will be set up at Guru Nanak Dev University at a cost of Rs 510 crore grant given by Govt. of India. He said that 50 years celebrations of University has begun today and all best efforts will be done to make this event a big success.

The day-long celebrations began with the Bhog Sri Akhand Path at the University Gurdwara Sahib followed by the Shabad Kirtan by Bhai Shaukeen Singh, Hazoori Ragi, Sri Darbar Sahib. Guru Ka Langar was served on this occasion. In the evening, Kirtan Darbar was held at
Sri Gurdwara Sahib of the University. Deepmala was done in the University.

A painting competition was also organized as part of these celebrations and the winners were honored by the chief guests. The exhibition of these paintings was organized at The Gallary- History & Dreams. The speakers congratulated the university for entering into the celebrations of 50th years of its establishment.  Prof. Sandhu honored the guest speakers with books and mementos on this occasion.